Tag turf grass

One of the perennial questions our arborists hear from customers is how to get more grass to grow under their trees. Whether it is from canopy shade or root growth, there seems to be a constant struggle between grass and trees. Unfortunately, most turf grass is not bred to live in harmony with large trees, and trees often find themselves in competition for resources with surrounding grass. In many cases, homeowners have to choose between uniform turf coverage and tree health.

Why Does Grass Not Grow Under Trees?

Simply put, turf grass and trees do not come from the same natural environment.

Turf grass is bred and grown to thrive in bright sun with regular watering. The root systems of sod grasses form heavy thatch that captures moisture and nutrients and reduces competition from weeds and other plants in the same area. Turf needs relatively shallow soil, as its roots are close to the surface.

Trees, on the other hand, are most at home in a forest environment. Rather than being surrounded by grass, trees in a forest cover the ground around themselves with dropped leaves or needles (yes, evergreens have a “leaf exchange” too!). This “leaf litter” acts as natural mulch and breaks down into compost, creating layers of rich soil providing both nutrients and stability to trees. This natural mulch and compost also prevents the growth of potentially-competing plants. Additionally, while the trees’ canopies need bright sun, the root zone is kept shaded, both to aid in the breakdown of the leaf litter and help prevent other plants from growing.

Turf Grass And Trees Do Not Get Along

In an urban environment, turf grass and trees are artificially united in a single ecosystem. The trees’ natural growth process and self-mulching is often altered, as leaf litter is removed by homeowners. As turf grass tries to expand into a tree’s root zone, it encounters shade and surface roots, both of which are not conducive to growth. Where trees and turf grass coexist, they often compete for resources, especially water. Lawn sprinklers and irrigation systems provide enough water for grass, but are not able to properly water trees. Synthetic fertilizers for turf grass (especially “weed and feed” products) can actually be harmful to trees.

Luckily, there are alternatives to this unhealthy cycle of competition!

What Can I Do About Grass Not Growing Under My Trees?

In an ideal world, all trees would be able to live in their preferred environment: surrounded by a large area of mulch and compost, properly irrigated, and not in competition with other plants for resources. Proper mulching around your trees will not only help the trees grow, but the mulch will regulate soil moisture and temperature, making trees more resistant to temperature shifts or periods of drought. While it may be hard to imagine a yard without grass, proper mulching around your trees and reducing the amount of turf grass brings a natural beauty and can save on water usage dramatically.

If you still want some color under your trees, rather than the natural soil, there are some ground cover options that can brighten up your yard without causing undue competition with your trees. Native grasses and groundcover that have evolved or been bred to complement the needs of trees are a great choice to reduce water usage, add beneficial nutrients to the soil, and attract native pollinators. For more information, and some specific recommendations, check out this post from our friends at Native Gardeners.

Can’t I Just Trim My Tree So That Grass Will Grow?

While it is possible to trim a tree’s canopy to increase the amount of light that reaches the ground below, and trees need a certain amount of thinning for air circulation, this is not a long-term solution, and too much thinning can lead to tree decline and death. Trees produce food and energy in their leaves, and removing leaves leads to one of two things: if a tree is healthy, it will simply grow more leaves to replace the ones lost; or, if a tree is already stressed, it will not have the energy to put out new leaves and will begging to suffer from lack of proper nutrition. For healthy trees, industry standards dictate removing no more than 25% of living canopy per year. For stressed or older trees, the acceptable percentage is even smaller. “Lion tailing” a tree (removing a majority of interior growth, leaving only small areas of canopy at the end of branches) is never an acceptable practice. If you are considering thinning your trees for light transmission, be sure to consult an ISA Certified Arborist to evaluate your trees’ health and provide guidelines for healthy trimming.

Why Does My Neighbor Have Grass Under Their Tree When I Don’t?

As with many tree questions, determining why one tree or yard seems to grow differently from another can be difficult. There are several factors that can determine how trees and turf grass will interact, including:

• Tree species and age

• Turf grass variety

• Direction and amount of daily sun

• Presence of other landscaping (shrubs, flower beds, etc.)

• Micro-environmental factors (soil condition, use of fertilizer/chemicals)

Ultimately, it is up to the homeowner to choose to focus on turf grass health or tree health. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get both types of landscaping to cooperate and thrive. Before investing in costly sod installation or other landscaping, be sure to understand how grass, trees, and other plants will interact with and affect each other.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! While we are inveterate tree huggers and may be a little biased, it is still true that properly-cared-for trees do more to capture atmospheric carbon, reduce urban heat islands, curtail excessive water usage, and provide mental and physical health benefits. We understand it can be heard to break away from social pressure to have an immaculate, green lawn, but homeowners who have moved toward native and natural landscaping are often amazed to see how easy, beautiful, and inexpensive their trees and gardens can be. We are always happy to talk about how to organize your yard around native trees for a look that is beautiful, unique, and low-maintenance. Let us know how we can help!

With over 90% of Texas in drought conditions, water conservation measures are in effect over much of the state. Caring for our urban forest during a drought requires special attention to our watering practices to ensure that trees get the water they need and none is wasted.

Do I Really Need To Water My Trees? I Have a Sprinkler System!

Yes! Even if you have a sprinkler system or regularly water your lawn, you need to water your trees as well.

• In-ground irrigation systems and hose-attached sprinklers are designed to provide water for turf grass and other ground cover.

  • Some sprinklers may be able to provide more water for small shrubs and bushes, but none of them are adequate to meet a mature tree’s water needs.

• If a tree is not properly mulched, it may be in competition for water resources with other plants.

  • If there is artificial grass present, water and nutrients in the soil may be scarce.

• Without adequate water, trees’ immune systems weaken, leading to increased susceptibility to disease and insects.

  • Repeated, long-term stress from lack of water can lead to a cycle of decline and tree death.

What is the Best Way to Water My Trees?

There are two main ways to get sufficient water to your trees: using a soaker hose or hand watering.

• Soaker Hose

  • Recommended for ease of use and coverage

  • Make sure the hose can cover the entire root zone

    • Depending on the type, hoses can be arranged in circles or a spiral around the tree or in radial lines leading out from the trunk

  • Run the soaker hose long enough to wet the ground in the root area to a depth of 10-12 inches

  • Check the soil to see how long it retains moisture and only water after the soil has dried

    • Too much water can be as bad as too little

    • Generally, watering should be every 7-10 days

• Hand Watering

  • Place a garden hose so that the outlet is 1-2 feet from the root flare of the tree

  • Turn on water enough to spread, but not so much that it puddles or streams away

  • Move hose around tree to ensure even watering of entire canopy area

  • As with soaker hoses, stop watering when soil is damp to a depth of 10-12 inches

  • Wait a few days and check soil moisture

    • Re-water when soil is dry to avoid excess dampness

• Special Considerations

  • Some trees may require watering more often

    • Stressed/sick trees (such as by freeze damage or pest activity)

    • Non-native species

    • Recently-planted trees

  • During periods of wet weather, do not water too often

    • Excess soil moisture can cause rapid growth of harmful microorganisms

How Can I Help My Trees Retain Moisture in a Drought?

After watering, mulching is the most effective way to regulate tree moisture. Proper mulching helps regulate soil temperature, slows evaporation, and contributes to soil nutrients as it breaks down.

Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers and growth stimulators, as these can cause a tree to use up energy stores and require more water to maintain. Organic soil amendments and compost can be added to soil and mulch if needed.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! While the summer months can be fun, the drought conditions they often bring can be stressful to people and plants. Proper watering of our urban forest leads to healthy trees that can help regulate heat, provide shade, and keep the air fresh. Have questions about how best to care for your trees during drought? Contact us today!

It seems that artificial turf is becoming more and more popular each year. With less required maintenance and year-round color, artificial grass can seem like an easy way to have a lush, green lawn. One thing that synthetic turf cannot replicate, however, is the role of natural turf grass in the ecosystem of your yard. Replacing a living organism with a nonorganic ground cover can have unseen adverse effects on other landscape plants, especially trees.

Is Artificial Turf Good For Trees?

The short answer is “no.” To understand why, we need to understand the benefits that natural grass brings to the soil around a tree.

• Synthetic grass reduces the water and air that can penetrate into the soil and be taken up by the roots.
  • While artificial turf is somewhat porous, natural turf is constantly aerating the soil with its roots and keeping the ground from becoming hard and compacted.
• The environment created by synthetic turf is harmful to beneficial fungi and bacteria that naturally occur in the soil.
  • These microorganisms need the biomatter from organic lawn coverings to thrive.
  • Without these fungi and bacteria, the nutrients trees feed on will not be replenished and the soil will become inhospitable.
• Artificial grass prevents above-ground nutrients from reaching tree roots.
  • Similarly to how it does not allow air and water to penetrate easily, artificial turf also prevents natural organic materials (leaf litter, insect castings, etc.) from easily reaching the soil and the tree’s root system.
  • When synthetic turf is rinsed off, much of the organic material on top of it is washed away and a major source of nutrients for the tree is lost.
• If herbicide is used in conjunction with synthetic turf, trees can be poisoned.
  • Herbicides are often used to prepare an area for artificial turf installation.
    • These herbicides can be taken up by a tree’s roots and poison the tree, sometimes irreparably.

Will Artificial Grass Kill My Tree?

Short answer: “yes.” However, the decline of a tree because of artificial turf installation can be a long process and it may take several years to see the signs. Depending on the age and health of a tree, it may have enough reserves of energy to go three to five years without showing signs of stress. However, much like with construction stress, once a cycle of decline has begun, it is difficult to control and it can be impossible to prevent the death of the tree.

Does Synthetic Grass Cause Issues With Having My Trees Trimmed?

In addition to the deleterious health effects on the trees themselves, synthetic turf poses unique problems when considering having tree trimming, tree removal, or other tree work performed.

• Debris from tree work, such as sawdust, can easily get caught in artificial turf, cause clumping, and be difficult and time-consuming to remove.
• Heat and oil from tools and machinery can discolor or melt artificial grass, making repair or replacement necessary.
• Even when care is taken, the weight and impact of falling limbs and trunks can cause divots, dents, and tears in synthetic turf, also necessitating repair or replacement.

How can I help a tree that has synthetic turf around it?

If you have an artificial turf lawn, don’t worry! There are several things you can do to help your trees survive.

• Give your trees as much room as possible.
  • Leave a gap between the tree trunk and any non-organic ground cover (artificial grass, landscape fabric).
    • We recommend a buffer zone of at least four feet.
• Consider installing ports in synthetic turf for fertilization.
  • When fertilizer is applied using a feeder rod, it is necessary to puncture synthetic grass to access the soil and root system.
  • Pre-installation of ports allows for easy access and minimizes repairs.
• Fertilize your trees regularly with a product that contains organic matter that can enrich the soil.
  • Artificial turf kills beneficial bacteria and fungi, so these organisms need to be replenished.
• Water your trees during dry periods.
  • Without the indicator of browning grass, it can be difficult to remember that living plants still need water.
  • Establish a good watering routine to keep your trees healthy during hot and dry seasons.
• Before installing artificial grass, consult an ISA Certified Arborists  to evaluate your trees.
  • An arborist can make you aware of any pre-existing issues with your trees and provide advice on how best to prepare your trees for the stress of synthetic turf installation.
• Make sure to use a company employing ISA Certified Arborists for any tree health or trimming needs.
  • Inform them that you have synthetic grass around the tree, so that your arborist can be prepared to look for signs of decline.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! Artificial turf can make lawn care easy, but it’s important to be aware of the impact synthetic grass can have on trees and the living components of your landscape. If you are considering having artificial grass installed, or want to know what impact your synthetic turf is having on your trees, one of our certified arborists would be happy to come out and have a look. Contact us today!